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USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10)
Encyclopedia
USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) is a Lewis and Clark-class
dry cargo ship of the United States Navy
, named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Drew
(1904–1950), who developed improved techniques for blood
storage, and applied his expert knowledge in developing large-scale blood bank
s early in World War II
, saving thousands of Allied
lives.
The contract to build Charles Drew was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
(NASSCO) of San Diego, California
, on 31 January 2008.
Her keel was laid down on 17 March 2009.
Charles Drew was christened and launched
on 27 February 2010, sponsored by Mrs. Bebe Drew Price, the eldest daughter of Dr. Drew. The principal address at the ceremony was given by Vice Admiral
Regina Benjamin
, the Surgeon General of the United States
.
Charles Drew was delivered to Military Sealift Command on 14 July 2010 and is expected to begin conducting missions for MSC in spring 2011 and will operate in the Pacific.
Charles Drew was moored at Naval Magazine Indian Island during the week of October 30, 2011 according to the website www.siitech.com which tracks AIS signals broadcast by ships' navigation systems.
Lewis and Clark class dry cargo ship
The Lewis and Clark class of dry cargo ship is the next class of Combat Logistics Force underway replenishment vessels to be constructed for the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. Lewis and Clark-class ships will replace the existing fifteen Mars- and Sirius-class combat store ships...
dry cargo ship of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Drew
Charles R. Drew
Charles Richard Drew was an American physician, surgeon and medical researcher. He researched in the field of blood transfusions, developing improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge to developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II. This allowed medics to...
(1904–1950), who developed improved techniques for blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
storage, and applied his expert knowledge in developing large-scale blood bank
Blood bank
A blood bank is a cache or bank of blood or blood components, gathered as a result of blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion. The term "blood bank" typically refers to a division of a hospital laboratory where the storage of blood product occurs and where proper...
s early in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, saving thousands of Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
lives.
The contract to build Charles Drew was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...
(NASSCO) of San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, on 31 January 2008.
Her keel was laid down on 17 March 2009.
Charles Drew was christened and launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 27 February 2010, sponsored by Mrs. Bebe Drew Price, the eldest daughter of Dr. Drew. The principal address at the ceremony was given by Vice Admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
Regina Benjamin
Regina Benjamin
Vice Admiral Regina Marcia Benjamin, USPHS is an American physician who serves as the 18th Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Benjamin previously directed a nonprofit primary care medical clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama and served on the Board of Trustees for the Morehouse School of...
, the Surgeon General of the United States
Surgeon General of the United States
The Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government...
.
Charles Drew was delivered to Military Sealift Command on 14 July 2010 and is expected to begin conducting missions for MSC in spring 2011 and will operate in the Pacific.
Charles Drew was moored at Naval Magazine Indian Island during the week of October 30, 2011 according to the website www.siitech.com which tracks AIS signals broadcast by ships' navigation systems.